Nestled in the heart of Driftwood, Texas, a cozy, mid-luxury tiny home offers visitors more than just a night’s stay—it offers an experience.
Designed to be a secluded, romantic retreat, the property is surrounded by 3.5 acres of lush Texas landscape, offering an outdoor oasis complete with a private cowboy pool and a crackling fire pit under the stars.
Brendan Thompson, the mastermind behind this space, has transformed his background in ministry into a passion for hospitality, creating a unique, nature-inspired Airbnb for guests seeking both comfort and adventure.
The Start of a New Journey
Brendan’s path to becoming a short-term rental (STR) host began in an unexpected place.
With a background in ministry, the financial leap into real estate wasn’t a straightforward one. “Cash flow was a huge challenge,” he explains.
But he saw potential in a different way of building his business—through partnerships.
Two close friends, Matt and Tamer, co-founders of strIQ, an app designed to help people find and optimize STRs, inspired Brendan to see the possibilities of short-term rentals.
With their support and some savvy deal-finding skills, he jumped into the world of STRs with a clear goal: create a peaceful, nature-infused escape that guests would want to return to time and again and begin building a cash-flowing empire to support his ministry ambitions.
Creating a Space with a Purpose
Brendan’s tiny home is more than just a beautifully designed Airbnb; it’s a retreat meticulously curated to be a romantic escape. “Our property has this unique charm because it’s small and secluded,” Brendan says. “We leaned into that, creating an intimate space where guests can unwind and connect with nature.” Every detail is thoughtfully designed, from the cozy indoor spaces to the outdoor amenities.
Set among trees and under a dark sky perfect for stargazing, the tiny home’s decor is simple but intentional, allowing the natural surroundings to take center stage. The outdoor cowboy pool—a must-have for beating the Texas heat—and a fire pit stocked with forest wood invite guests to immerse themselves fully in the outdoor setting. “We wanted it to feel like an escape,” Brendan adds. “A place where people can unplug, be surrounded by nature, and just relax.”
Adding Value with Thoughtful Amenities
To stay competitive and enhance the guest experience, Brendan uses the strIQ dashboard to identify and add valuable amenities. “The data showed that properties with pools or hot tubs were generating about $6K more annually,” he explains.
Seeing this opportunity, Brendan installed a cowboy pool, which has quickly become a guest favorite. The addition has not only boosted his income but also amplified the appeal of the property, giving guests an added reason to choose his listing.
Another popular feature is the fire pit area, where guests are encouraged to gather their own firewood from the surrounding forest.
This unique touch not only enhances the nature-inspired vibe but also provides an adventurous twist to the traditional campfire experience.
For those who prefer a quicker setup, pre-cut firewood is available for purchase—a small but effective upsell that adds to the property’s revenue.
Guest Experiences and Challenges
Since opening his doors, Brendan has been thrilled with the positive feedback from guests. “We’ve maintained all five-star reviews so far,” he shares proudly.
Guests are consistently drawn to the peaceful ambiance, the privacy, and the feeling of being close to nature. “People love the fact that they can disconnect here. It’s one of the things that sets us apart.”
But the journey hasn’t been without its challenges.
Being in a rural area means dealing with spotty Wi-Fi, a common issue for properties in remote locations.
“We have starlink, which is an absolutely amazing product, but there are glitches sometimes, and while it’s not ideal, guests seem to accept it as part of the experience,” Brendan says, adding that the rustic charm of the property helps offset any inconvenience. For now, the limited connectivity fits well with the overall unplugged vibe he aims to offer.
Building an STR Empire with a Purpose
Brendan’s vision for his STR business extends beyond just this one property. His goal is to grow his portfolio, using the same strategic approach of finding good deals, leveraging partnerships, and focusing on thoughtful, nature-centric designs.
By balancing his background in ministry with his newfound business skills, he’s creating not just a profitable venture, but also one that resonates deeply with guests looking for a meaningful travel experience; “I want to use our property portfolio to serve people who are serving others. That looks practically like finding properties with high cash-flowing opportunities so we can book free and discounted stays for pastors, missionaries and non-profit workers.”
When asked what advice he would give to other aspiring STR hosts, Brendan emphasizes the importance of investment in both design and amenities and just being there for your guests.
“A well-designed property with thoughtful touches really makes a difference,” he says. “It enhances the guest experience and, in turn, the bottom line. It’s worth every penny. Also don’t overlook the value of just communicating well, being friendly and picking up the phone every now and then for a guest. We have found that you can almost always turn a hiccup into a 5 star experience through your host interactions.”
Looking Ahead: More Than Just a Tiny Home
For Brendan, this Driftwood property is a part of his growing portfolio, and really just the beginning. His ultimate vision includes expanding his STR footprint to over 150 properties, creating more spaces where guests can connect with nature and each other. And as his portfolio grows, so does his mission-driven approach to hosting—proving that a background in ministry can be a powerful foundation for a life in hospitality.
With the Driftwood property as a shining example of his vision, Brendan Thompson is well on his way to making his mark in the STR industry.
If you’re looking for a place to unwind, reconnect, and experience the beauty of Texas, Brendan’s nature-inspired tiny home might just be the escape you’re searching for.
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If you’re in ministry and looking for a place to unwind, Brendan welcomes you with open arms. Reach out for a potential stay at this Texas retreat.
Ready to Experience Driftwood?
To book a stay at Brendan’s Texas retreat, visit his Airbnb listing. And for more resources on STR hosting, check out strIQ, where data-driven insights meet hands-on expertise to help hosts create memorable stays.